How Culture Producers, Promoters Made The Difference ~ Vanguard

By Japhet Alakam & Prisca Sam Duru

IN spite of the 2015 general elections that affected most
of the activities of several sectors in the country, the Art
and Culture sector globally regarded as the flagship for
both economic and social development of any society
experienced huge success. Even with the scrapping of the
Art , Culture and Tourism Ministry by the present
administration, arts and culture producers and promoters,
saw to it that the sector went on with its activities and in
return recorded tremendous success. This was because,
the sector despite its contributions to the nation’s GDP
has never been a good bride of the government.

Flight: One of the works by Yusuf Grillo

In the year under review, a whole lot of activities took
place in the art industry which are indications of the huge
progress recorded. In the visual art circuit, one of the
vibrant areas of art, Nigerians demonstrated their creative
ingenuity through a series of exhibitions as many galleries
opened their space for both the upcoming and established
artists. Among the exhibitions were the ones held at Alexis
gallery, Lagos, Omenka gallery, National museum, Terra
Kulture, Temple Muse, and many others.



Unique solo exhibition


But the most outstanding exhibition of the year, which can
be regarded as the mother of all shows was the unique
solo exhibition organised by Arthouse Space for one of
Africa’s living modernist masters, Prof Yusuf Grillo titled
Igi Araba . Held at the Kia Showroom, Adeola Odeku
street, Victoria Island, Lagos, it featured body of works
that make his legendary night blue strokes glow with
some of the never-before-seen paintings.

The opening which was like a carnival was graced by
prominent Nigerians, captains of industry, diplomats,
expatriates, art collectors, promoters and lovers especially
the members of the Zaria rebels, was declared open by the
Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Ranti Adebule who
represented Governor Ambode of Lagos State. Another
major exhibition of the year was Shifting The Paradigm , a
historic exhibition by Nigerian contemporary artists,
George Edozie which took place at The Museum of
Contemporary Art (MoCA) North Miami, Florida.

It was the first time that an African had a full museum
show at Art Basel. Apart from exhibitions, other art events
that shaped the year include the 8th National Art
Competition, organised by African Artists’ Foundation
(AAF) and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries Plc, with the
theme “Future Histories.” It was won by Sabastine
Ugwuoke and he went home with the sum of N2 million.

Another area was with stage performances, where the
practitioners once more demonstrated that stage
performances were still very relevant in Nigeria in spite of
the wide appeal of home videos. Leading the stage in that
direction was the National Troupe of Nigeria, which under
its new Artistic Director, Akin Adejuwon took the troupe to
performances in many cities in Nigeria and outside.
Others include, Kakadu the musical, Avalanche:The Kings
Of Dance, Hear Word by Ifeoma Fafunwa and Dis Fix, a
dance event that brought together both disabled and able
bodied was held by the British Council in Lagos.

In the literary angle, despite the poor economy, Nigerians
still showed their love for book as many events took place
in the book industry. One of the events was handing over
by Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital of the UNESCO
World Book Capital to South Korea in April as the next
host. The Nigerian International book fair, which brings
together all the stakeholders in the book industry was held
at its usual venue, University of Lagos. The annual
Author’s Forum, that celebrates the book and authors,
celebrated Chukwuemek Ike’s 50 years of writing.

Another shocker for the year was the announcement of no
winner for 2015 Nigeria Prize for Literature. As was the
case in 2004 and 2009 when no winner emerged for the
Nigeria Prize for Literature, in prose and poetry
respectively, so it was year, when sponsors of the Prize;
Nigeria LNG, declared no winner for the year’s
competition. Also, Nigerians experienced book
presentations like never before, as many new books hit
the book stands during the year. Some of the new titles
that made it in 2015 included; Voices from Within: Essays
on Nigerian Journalism in honour of Mr Sam Amuka at 80.
Edited by Lanre Idowu, the presentation which took place
at NIIA, Victoria Island drew the who is who in society;
others include, ‘Principles & Practice of Commercial
Arbitration’ by an expert in Maritime and Admiralty Law,
international trade, oil and gas, commercial law and
arbitration, Professor Joseph McCarthy
Mbadugha. Elnathan John’s novel, “Baron of Broad Street”
which chronicles the polarized worlds of Lagos
impoverished and affluent, co-habiting, yet a world apart.
‘New Dawn of Change: If I Were Buhari’ was launched at
the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

Also, “STELLA – Her Journey and Legacy” (Biography
Book on Late Chief Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, written by
Antoinette-Rita) was presented in Abeokuta, Ogun State
during the 10th year Memorial Service held in her honour.
June 12 Election: Campaign for Democracy and the
Implosion of the Nigerian Left written by Onyeisi, “This
House is not for Sale” by E.C Osondu, “For Sam, A
collection of Contemporary Thoughts”, a book written by
Jimi Disu and dedicated to Vanguard Publisher, Mr. Sam
Amuka, Chux Onyenyonwu’s epic book, The Sixth Fingers,
Titus Okereke’s Our Father’s Land, including
reminiscences on the Nigerian Civil War, Raji Fashola’s
Great leap and two others and many more.

As it was in the literary scene, so it with festivals as many
arts and books festivals spiced up events in the industry.
The annual international arts festival of photography in
Nigeria, LagosPhoto festival, in its sixth edition, held at the
Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. Other events
were, the 3rd edition of the Ake Arts and Book festival
,The 2015 iRep Film Festival, during which about 50 films
were screened, at the Freedom Park, Lagos. The 2015
Music Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Festival, The 17th
Lagos Book & Art Festival, LABAF and many more.



Culled from Vanguard Newspaper